🎯 Overview
The goal of this process is to make the client portal experience easier for the client, rather than assuming they will know what to do in Suggesting mode. By "teeing up" options using Stencils, advisors can create a better experience and guide clients on where to input or update information.
1. Setting Up the Asset Map for Suggest Mode
Many advisors build out a client's Asset-Map, then invite the client to the portal in Suggesting mode. But this can be confusing for the client. The following steps help guide the client as to what fields need to be updated by using a Stencil.
Step 1: Use a stencil to build out the client's assets.
Step 2: Keep the existing placeholders and financials as desired.
Step 3: In the "location" field for a new asset, type a clear instruction, such as "Please enter".
Step 4: For an existing asset that needs updating (like a 401k), type "Update value" in the relevant field.
Optional Tip: Some advisors use emojis to create a visual legend for the client (e.g., green dot means "enter something we're missing," yellow dot means "update a value"). However, advisors must be careful about compliance rules regarding emoji use. This process can be done without emojis.
2. The Client's Experience
When the client enters the portal, this setup provides clear instructions.
Step 1: The client will see the asset map with the custom instructions, such as "Please enter," on specific assets.
Step 2: They can click the item and enter the required information, such as a value (e.g., $200,000) and a location (e.g., Company name).
Step 3: The client clicks "Update".
Step 4: They can repeat this process for other items, such as updating the value of their 401k retirement fund (e.g., 145,000).
3. Advisor Review and Best Practices
After the client has made their changes, the advisor can review them.
Step 1: The advisor's dashboard will show "pending changes".
Step 2: The advisor can select "view the changes" to review what the client updated within the system and accept or reject them as desired.
Recommended Best Practices:
Generate Reports: When the advisor first sets up the initial asset map (before the client makes changes), they should generate a report. Use the PDF icon in the upper right area in Draft mode, or right-click (alt-click) on the Asset-Map in normal mode to select "Generate PDF" from the menu.
Why: This allows the advisor to look back and see what suggestions they originally made.
Locating Drafts: If an advisor exits draft mode, the "client portal suggests" can be found again. Right-click (alt-click) and select "Drafts" from the menu. From the Drafts interface choose "Client Portal" from the drop menu. The generated report also provides a record of these suggestions.
As always, it's the advisor's responsibility to understand and follow their compliance department's requirements.
11/2025